One of the most able and public-spirited citizens of Herkimer is Miss Essie Rosalind Henderson, member of the legal firm of Prescott & Henderson. Aside from her professional career, in which she has attained a notable success, Miss Henderson has devoted much of her time and energy to enterprises of a civic nature that have helped greatly in making Herkimer the charming and progressive village of today. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio, on the 30th of December, 1872, the daughter of the late George Dye and Anna Dimmet (Hunt) Henderson. Her father was born in Ayton, Scotland, but was brought to the United States by his parents when he was a babe in arms. He died on January 9, 1920, at the age of sixty-eight. Miss Henderson's mother now lives with her in Herkimer. Mrs. Henderson comes from an American family of English origin and is the granddaughter of John Holden, who fought gallantly in the War of 1812 and was also a member of the Ohio militia. She was born at Maysville, Kentucky.
Essie Rosalind Henderson was educated in the public high school of Holyoke, Massachusetts, and later attended the Adams Collegiate Institute of Adams, Jefferson county, New York. She entered upon the study of law in the offices of Mr. Steele and Mr. Prescott, attorneys of Herkimer, and after several years of study was admitted to the bar on the 14th of November, 1905. Immediately afterward she became formally associated with Steele & Prescott, and following the death of Mr, Steele, some time later, Miss Henderson was taken into partnership with Mr. Prescott, with whom she has been associated ever since. Her practice is largely in the probate and surrogate courts. Miss Henderson's high standing within the profession is indicated by the fact that her colleagues have elected her a director of the Herkimer County Bar Association. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association and also of the Women Lawyers' Association, the latter being a national organization.
A republican in her political faith, Miss Henderson has been very active in party affairs in her community. She was honored by election to the presidency of the Women's Republican Club of Herkimer when it was formed and has been a delegate to three judicial conventions of the fifth judicial district, state of New York, for the nomination of candidates for justice of the supreme court. During the World war she served in the Herkimer County Motor Corps. Miss Henderson is one of the three trustees of the Oak Hill Cemetery of Herkimer and treasurer of the Neighborhood House Association. The artistic planning and attractive appearance of the village is a matter in which she takes a deep interest and she herself has built a number of very attractive homes that demonstrate how well convenience and utility may be combined with beauty at a relatively small expense.
Miss Henderson is president of the Business and Professional Women's Club of Herkimer and also belongs to the Progressive Club and the Daughters of 1812. As a member of the Herkimer Reformed church she holds membership in the Women's Missionary Society of the church and the Clotho Society, which is likewise affiliated with the Reformed congregation. She has a camp in the Adirondack mountains, where she spends her summer vacations, far away from the cares and duties of her busy professional and civic life.